Rogers Schools v. Bentonville Schools (Hope, Centerton: houses, buy, top school)

[snickerdoodle22]

Hi Everyone,

I am relocating to NWA in the very near future. I have a child who is in 2nd grade now. We are moving from a top school.

I know that B'ville schools are supposedly the best - but really, how are the Rogers schools? I am looking at houses in Rogers that are in the Rogers School District. Can you please give me the lowdown? My son is in gifted if that helps.

Thanks in advance - I just want to be sure my son is challenged (and still gets to play outside!!).

Any schools have language programs?

Thanks!

[Penguin_ie]

Both school districts are excellent, but there are some variants depending on the actual school. We also have some charter schools if that appeals, which you can apply to attend from either school district- one (http://www.bcsa.k12.ar.us/) for more dance/ arts related subjects and a new one, http://www.nwaclassical.com/ for a classical liberal arts education (ie early latin, lots of history and science etc)

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by snickerdoodle22

Hi Everyone,

I am relocating to NWA in the very near future. I have a child who is in 2nd grade now. We are moving from a top school.

I know that B'ville schools are supposedly the best - but really, how are the Rogers schools? I am looking at houses in Rogers that are in the Rogers School District. Can you please give me the lowdown? My son is in gifted if that helps.

Thanks in advance - I just want to be sure my son is challenged (and still gets to play outside!!).

Any schools have language programs?

Thanks!

Like every school district, the district is as good as the individual school. Yes, Bentonville schools have slightly higher ratings, but Rogers school are very good as well. You can't go wrong with either.

[sickofsnow67]

We are relocating and here is what I have found. Everyone seems to think Bentonville is the place to be. BUT...Bentonville is experiencing some serious growing pains/crowding issues. The referendum/millage has not passed 2x -- a bit of a concern since I feel that supporting schools supports property values. Not all Bentonville elementary schools are created equal. Central Park (Bentonville SD) and Bellview (Rogers SD) seem to score the highest and are referred to as "vendor schools". Moving to a home that is zoned for either of these schools does NOT guarantee your child a spot in their zoned school. This was very surprising for us. So if you buy a house with the intention of sending your child to these schools BEWARE! They have 'overflow' schools. Often times these overflow schools are not as desirable and are clear across town. They will bus your child to the overflow school until a space becomes available at your zoned school. This means a lot of change for a child that is already changing by your relocation to NWA. You need to call the individual school and speak to their admissions person. I have a current 2nd grader and was told there was a wait list 30 deep at Elm Tree School. FYI -- Elm Tree is a non-traditional school. A non-traditional school has a longer school year, and different breaks than the other schools. IMO this makes it difficult if you have other children attending the other schools since their vacays won't be in sync. I have read accounts on city-data forum of people who have bought a home in, say, pinnancle, in the hopes of sending their child to Central Park school only to have to bus them to Sugar creek some 20 minutes away (check out Sugar Creek's scores on greatschool.com). Rogers seems to addressed their overcrowding issue and I think the Bellview/Kirksey/Rogers HS seems like a good option as well. Although nobody has ever really said "Rogers high school is great!" Hope this helps.

[DC at the Ridge]

Originally Posted by sickofsnow67

We are relocating and here is what I have found. Everyone seems to think Bentonville is the place to be. BUT...Bentonville is experiencing some serious growing pains/crowding issues. The referendum/millage has not passed 2x -- a bit of a concern since I feel that supporting schools supports property values. Not all Bentonville elementary schools are created equal. Central Park (Bentonville SD) and Bellview (Rogers SD) seem to score the highest and are referred to as "vendor schools". Moving to a home that is zoned for either of these schools does NOT guarantee your child a spot in their zoned school. This was very surprising for us. So if you buy a house with the intention of sending your child to these schools BEWARE! They have 'overflow' schools. Often times these overflow schools are not as desirable and are clear across town. They will bus your child to the overflow school until a space becomes available at your zoned school. This means a lot of change for a child that is already changing by your relocation to NWA. You need to call the individual school and speak to their admissions person. I have a current 2nd grader and was told there was a wait list 30 deep at Elm Tree School. FYI -- Elm Tree is a non-traditional school. A non-traditional school has a longer school year, and different breaks than the other schools. IMO this makes it difficult if you have other children attending the other schools since their vacays won't be in sync. I have read accounts on city-data forum of people who have bought a home in, say, pinnancle, in the hopes of sending their child to Central Park school only to have to bus them to Sugar creek some 20 minutes away (check out Sugar Creek's scores on greatschool.com). Rogers seems to addressed their overcrowding issue and I think the Bellview/Kirksey/Rogers HS seems like a good option as well. Although nobody has ever really said "Rogers high school is great!" Hope this helps.

Rogers has two high schools. As a graduate of one, I think RHS is great!

[snickerdoodle22]

Thanks so much for your thoughtful and helpful information. Gah! This is hard - I will look into the charter school - my child LOVES science!

[Breadmaker1]

I'm not a native, but I have kids in the public school system. With no hesitation, Rogers is my pick. Both are great, but RPS clearly has a better comprehensive education program.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by sickofsnow67

We are relocating and here is what I have found. Everyone seems to think Bentonville is the place to be. BUT...Bentonville is experiencing some serious growing pains/crowding issues. The referendum/millage has not passed 2x -- a bit of a concern since I feel that supporting schools supports property values. Not all Bentonville elementary schools are created equal. Central Park (Bentonville SD) and Bellview (Rogers SD) seem to score the highest and are referred to as "vendor schools". Moving to a home that is zoned for either of these schools does NOT guarantee your child a spot in their zoned school. This was very surprising for us. So if you buy a house with the intention of sending your child to these schools BEWARE! They have 'overflow' schools. Often times these overflow schools are not as desirable and are clear across town. They will bus your child to the overflow school until a space becomes available at your zoned school. This means a lot of change for a child that is already changing by your relocation to NWA. You need to call the individual school and speak to their admissions person. I have a current 2nd grader and was told there was a wait list 30 deep at Elm Tree School. FYI -- Elm Tree is a non-traditional school. A non-traditional school has a longer school year, and different breaks than the other schools. IMO this makes it difficult if you have other children attending the other schools since their vacays won't be in sync. I have read accounts on city-data forum of people who have bought a home in, say, pinnancle, in the hopes of sending their child to Central Park school only to have to bus them to Sugar creek some 20 minutes away (check out Sugar Creek's scores on greatschool.com). Rogers seems to addressed their overcrowding issue and I think the Bellview/Kirksey/Rogers HS seems like a good option as well. Although nobody has ever really said "Rogers high school is great!" Hope this helps.

It is true Bentonville voted down the millage, but let's be honest: the reason had to do with how elaborate it was going to be and the cost of the athletic dept..They will try again, it will pass and there will be a new high school within the next few years.

Nita

[Breadmaker1]

The comparison is deeper than a high school mileage. My kids have never been in a prefabricated building for a classroom. Ever. That makes me feel like planning and forecasting was done very well for a community and region as fast growing as ours.

All infrastructure aside, the quality of education is probably the same among all the big schools in NWA. I'm bias since my kiddos are with RPS, but just as important is how pleased I am with the research and decision I made to put them if this school system.

[nmnita]

There probably isn't much difference in the 2 districts and the most important thing is you and your kids are happy. I am sure many families in Bentonville feel the same about their choice, especially those in Centerton. I do like the OPs idea of checking into charter schools as well. For many this seems to be the answer...Of course, I have always believed motavated kids will do fine regardless. Much of what our kids learn can be atributed to home life and how parents approach education...